Education Continues for Children Despite Family Transitions

Kathy Toon

By Martha Lepore

  The little schoolhouse on 17th Street between Imperial Avenue and Commercial Street isn’t red.

   It does teach the three Rs, though, and its students are regular kids who just happen to be in irregular situations.

   “It’s a school where children who are displaced due to homelessness and other circumstances can continue to attend classes without experiencing educational gaps,” say Harbor Elementary School Principal Kristen Richetti.

   With a staff to student ratio about 7 to one, the school provides a California-state K-8 curriculum of reading, writing, math, science and social studies mainly to children of families at St. Vincent de Paul Village.

Patti Crandell

   “These kids usually love school,” says Kathy Toon, who has taught at Harbor for the past seven years, “It’s a structured environment and they are familiar and comfortable with their peers. Since all of them are in shelters or motels, there is no stigma to where they live.”

   According to Richetti, teachers at the school are chosen for their special qualities. “The most important one is their passion for helping children who have needs far beyond the scope of academics,” she notes. “They also must be creative, flexible and organized in order to maintain our rigorous standards with students who are in cycles of transition.”

   Founded in 1987 in partnership with the Village, Harbor Elementary is operated by the Juvenile Court and Community Schools of the San Diego County Office of Education.

Delia Esquivel

   “We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges,” says Patti Crandall, K-1 teacher. “We are proud of this fact since we’re the only Court and Community School program to attain this six-year accreditation in the state.”

   Working to link Village families to the community, the teachers tell parents about community-sponsored summer and sport camps and a summer enrichment program that reinforces or accelerates grade level achievement, according to Richetti. “We also are fortunate to have been adopted by some incredibly generous foundations, such as Frank Toyota, the Marcellus Wiley Foundation, and the Grace Brandon Hollis Foundation,” she says.

   Delia Esquivel, 5th through 8th grade teacher a.k.a. “Ms. E,” finds awe in her work with the Harbor Elementary students. “Every day I’m reminded of the idea that there is ‘something’ bigger than us and think what an awesome opportunity I’ve been given to roll my sleeves up and teach here,” she says. “When I see an “aha’ moment – especially a student with limited English recalling a concept learned during a lesson and then applying it in another context – wow!”

   Harbor Elementary School succeeds for a variety of reasons, foremost of which is the quality of its teachers and staff, notes Richetti. “Among our three credentialed teachers, we have over 45 years of teaching experience. Our teacher assistants are exceptional people who are preparing for careers in education, social service and law,” she explains. “Our tutors come from the Teacher Preparation Program provided through the UCSD’s Partners in Education. They all are committed to ensuring each and every student has equal access to comprehensive educational services.”

   Monthly meetings are held with shelter directors, case workers and children service representatives to discuss the progress of each student. “Communication among inter-agencies is critical in helping students develop as whole persons and we often succeed in obtaining counseling, health and academic services,” Richetti says.

   Knowing that they are making a difference in their students’ lives sometimes comes from parent feedback. Eleven-year Harbor teacher “Ms. C,” Patti Crandall, recalls, “A father and mother returned to tell me that their son had gotten the highest score in math for his grade level on the California Test of Basic Skills at his new school. They said that the math award their son was given was my award for everything I had done for him. Hearing this made my day!”

   A great satisfaction for the staff is knowing, as Esquivel points out, that “we are building educational bridges between the community and the Harbor children and families whom we are lucky enough to serve.”

   Finally, Crandall notes, “There’s also the personal connection we have daily with the parents. That they trust us enough to leave their precious children here and go away knowing that their kids are in a safe environment is very special to us.”

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